The Living Room star Barry Du Bois has opened up on the thing that scares him the most about being a parent.
The TV presenter and RUOK ambassador was chatting with parenting author Maggie Dent when he made the emotional confession.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Barry Du Bois talks about his biggest fear as a parent.
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Posting a segment of their conversation from The Good Enough Dad podcast to Instagram, Du Bois described it as “really honest and at times very emotional”.
“OK, so we all have really big fears and worries (about parenting),” Dent began.
“Is there one fear that you hold about, you know, parenting and raising your children?”
Looking thoughtful, Du Bois said: “Not parenting … the only fear I have is not being here for them if they need me.”
Du Bois, who has twins — son Bennett and daughter Arabella — with his wife Leonie, became teary as he continued.
“I think it’s very different for someone who’s been told he’s got three months to live, and I understand what mortality is,” he said.
“There’s that not a day goes by that I don’t worry about what it’s going to be like the day I leave.”
Du Bois has an aggressive form of blood cancer called plasmacytoma myeloma which he was recently told was “not curable”.
That heartbreaking admission prompted an outpouring of love and support from his followers on Instagram.
“They’ll be OK Baz because you filled them with your love,” one fan wrote.
“They’ll miss you and need you but they’ll truly know that you loved them dearly and that’s all they need.
“But that’s the future, you’re still here and they are blessed to have you and their mum, as you (are to have) them❤️❤️❤️.”
“Barry, what a wonderful man you are,” another wrote.
“So honest, a sweet, proud father and husband.
“There are people who can learn a lot from you.”
‘So lucky to have you’
“Barry they are so lucky to have you for however long it ends up being,” added another.
“Thing is, you have done all you can.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like.
“I admire you so much.”
Others chipped in to say leaving their kids too soon was also their biggest nightmare.
“That’s every parent’s worst fear, not being there for their kids, watching them grow up and especially on their wedding day not being able to walk them down the aisle,” one follower commented.
“Baz you are a true inspiration to each and every one of us being able to talk about what you’re going through.
“Discussions about cancer are never easy but you somehow accept it and that death will take us all at some stage sooner or later.
“The strength you have is truly remarkable.”
Du Bois first shared in 2017 that his cancer had returned after a six-year remission.
“Many of the people who watch our show know I got cancer six years ago with a plasmacytoma myeloma,” he said on The Living Room at the time.
“That was a single tumour in my neck. It’s why I’m a bit stiff and look a bit old here.
“But I’ve missed a couple of checks and my last blood result … I got some bad news.
“It seems that my cancer has come back reasonably aggressively. Now I have what’s regarded as multiple myeloma.
“So, we’ve got a cancer in my body that has created several tumours right through my body.”
Du Bois has talked in numerous interviews about emotional resilience and his desire to live every day to the fullest.
His latest post, in which he shared his fears about leaving his kids behind, clearly struck a chord.
“Baz, I hope you are writing down all the experiences from your childhood to now, the weird, the wacky, and the everyday,” one follower suggested.
“Ask the kids what they want to know about?
“I am always surprised about what they want to know.
“Regardless of any diagnosis, your stories will be cherished.
“I really admire your honesty and humanity that you wear on your sleeve.”
“You’ve always been very open and honest with your feelings and we all love you for that,” wrote another.
“We all have the same fears Baz … but you’re not going anywhere any time soon.
“So relax and continue to enjoy your life as you always do.”
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